| Overwatch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre(s) | First-person shooter, hero shooter |
| Developer(s) | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Platform(s) | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |
| First release | Overwatch May 24, 2016 |
| Latest release | Overwatch 2 October 4, 2022 |
Overwatch (abbreviated as OW) is a multimedia franchise centered on a series of multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) video games developed by Blizzard Entertainment. Overwatch was released in 2016 with a successor, Overwatch 2, released in 2022. Both games feature hero-based combat between two teams of players vying over various objectives, along with other traditional gameplay modes.
Released in 2016, the first video game in the series lacked a traditional story mode. Instead, Blizzard employed a transmedia storytelling strategy to disseminate lore regarding the game's characters, releasing comics and other literary media, as well as animated media that includes short films. The game enjoyed both critical and commercial success, and garnered a devoted following.
Blizzard helped launch and promote an esports scene surrounding the game, including an annual Overwatch World Cup, as well as the Overwatch League and a minor league, which borrowed elements found in traditional American sports leagues.
Overwatch is also known for its community, which has produced a large amount of content including art, cosplay, fan fiction, anime-influenced music videos, Internet memes, and pornography featuring Overwatch characters and elements.